Face of homelessness getting wrinkles

Staff at Calgary's largest social service agency say the face of the city's homeless population is aging.

For the first time since it opened its doors five decades ago, most of the people coming to the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre are over the age of 45, said spokeswoman Louise Gallagher.

Numbers indicate that many baby boomers are losing their jobs and suddenly finding themselves homeless, she said.

"I ended up here because I outlived my money," said John Harris, 65, who has been a resident at the centre, located at 423 4 Ave S.E., for the past nine years.

"Young kids, you don't see them in the shelters too much," he said.

Officials at the at The Salvation Army's Booth Centre at 631 7th Avenue S.E. say they've noticed the same trend.

And Cpt. Pamela Goodyear said an aging homeless population means support systems will have to adjust.